“REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS. AGAIN, I will say, REJOICE! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING, but in everything by PRAYER and SUPPLICATION, (deésis: a heartfelt petition or plea) with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any VIRTUE (a good moral quality) and if there is ANYTHING PRAISEWORTHY—meditate on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
We are encouraged to “meditate on these things.” While God guards our hearts, we are also commanded to focus our lives on THINGS THAT PLEASE GOD. There is an ongoing back and forth throughout Paul’s writings, which indicates God’s involvement in EVERY ASPECT OF THE LIFE OF THE BELIEVER. At the same time, believers are commanded to LIVE according to God’s ways. He does the work yet gives us work to do. Believers are called to TRUST in the Lord, yet also to SERVE the Lord. Paul set an example for how to do both. He was faithful in prayer yet gave EVERY BIT of his life to serve the Lord.
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham